The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today in Cairns announced $750,000 in marketing support as the first instalment of the Rudd Government's $4 million package for the North Queensland tourism industry.
Minister Ferguson said: "The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry will face a challenge in less than three months when reduced airline services to Cairns will limit access for Japanese tourists.
"I am today committing $750,000 to ensure Japanese travel agents are aware of available charter flights to Cairns from Nagoya, Fukuoka and Tokyo. Market indications reveal there is tourist demand for an additional 9,000 seats out of Japan to Cairns on these services during a peak December-January period.
"This marketing support will send a strong message to Japan's travel agent industry that North Queensland remains a must-see destination."
Based on the average Japanese visitor spend, the initiative announced by Minister Ferguson will support approximately $27.5 million in visitor spending in Tropical North Queensland.
The Australian Government's response to the challenges facing the Queensland tourism industry has been developed in close consultation with industry, Tourism Queensland, and Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
Minister Ferguson said: "This announcement is the first of a series of measures to be rolled out and demonstrates the Government's commitment to strengthen the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry.
"The Australian Government will put more marketing dollars on the table in the months ahead and support partnerships with airlines and tour operators in key overseas markets including Japan, Korea, New Zealand, China, and the UK. China in particular is an important growing market with around 60 per cent of Chinese visitors to Australia travelling to Queensland and 42 per cent to Tropical North Queensland.
"The Government's $4 million package will also fund the development of a destination roadmap to identify long-term and sustainable solutions for a vibrant tourism industry. It will include new destination research and analysis, investment forums for operators, a boost to indigenous tourism, and export facilitation."